What Grows Well In Acidic Soil - Better Meets Reality

Different soils have different properties that may impact what can grow in them, and also how things grow in them.

In this short guide, we outline what might grow well in acidic soil, along with other relevant considerations.

Summary – What Grows Well In Acidic Soil

The main thing to be aware of with acidic soil is the pH

There’s certain materials and amendments that can be added to acidic soil to change the pH, or the fertility, as well as other traits of the soil

The soil pH is only one factor in determining what you can and can’t grow in that soil (or, how effectively plant life might grow in a specific soil type)

Other factors to consider for growing in different soils include the general soil fertility, and the local conditions and variables such as weather and climate, as just a few major examples

Overall, each square area of soil on an individual plot of land potentially has it’s own unique factors and variables to consider that will impact soil production. And, the same can be said for the soil in the different geographic locations around the world

All acidic soils may have general soil production principles that apply to them, but, may also have unique local variables impacting soil production as well

Profile Of Acidic Soil – Traits, Characteristics, & Features

Acidic soil may have these general features, traits, and characteristics:

Have a pH under 7, with extremely acidic soils have a pH closer to 3.5

Peat soil is usually acidic or contains acidic water, and loam can sometimes can be slightly acidic

Real Examples Of Acidic Soil, & Where It Might Be Found

In terms of the different soil orders, an example of two soils that might be acidic might be Spodosols and Ultisols

You can see where Spodosols and Ultisols and other soil orders might be found worldwide, and in specific countries, in this guide.

Working With, Amending & Improving Acidic Soil

Adding To Acidic Soil

Acidic soils can be amended/balanced to come back to neutral, or become more alkaline, with the additions of ash or lime.

Soil can be made more acidic with the addition of acidic fruit compost scraps, or elemental sulfur, or peat moss.

Levels Of Acidity, & Testing Soil

Note that there are differing levels of acidic soil.

Some plants for example may grow in slightly acidic soil (6 to 6.5), whilst some might like more acidic soil.

So, pH range does matter.

You can test pH with a simple pH testing kit you can buy online or at the local gardening or home/outdoors store.

You can also get soil professionally tested.

More Resources On Working With Acidic Soils

Read more about working with and improving acidic soil at:

Types Of Soil (provident-living-today.com)

75 Acid Loving Plants (annsentitledlife.com)

13 Plants That Grow Well In Acidic Soil (thespruce.com)

Alkaline Soil, & Plants That Don’t Mind Alkalinity (thespruce.com)

A Note On Soil Types, & What Ultimately Impacts How Things Grow

Before we look at what grows well in acidic soil, it’s important to note that all soils have a slightly different composition in each geographic location – you might get a more acidic soil in one location, but in another location you might get a less acidic soil, and this can change it’s characteristics

There are also different external factors acting upon the soil in each geographic area. Climate and weather are a major example of this

Additionally, there are ultimately a range of physical, chemical and biological factors that determine how well something grows in a particular spot or under particular conditions.

Soil fertility is a major factor tied to soil’s physical, chemical and biological traits, that can impact soil productivity and yield. Some soils have high natural fertility, but it’s also possible to modify or increase the fertility of some soils

This is just a guide on acidic soils in general, without going into extreme depth about all these other factors (factors like soil fertility, soil health, soil quality, the impact of adding fertilizers and pesticides, bringing in commercial topsoil, the impact of different tilling practices, and so on).

To assess the soil in an individual location, it can help to become aware of factors like:

– What the soil is, and what is the best way to manage it

– The climate in that location (temperature, rainfall etc.) and the growing seasons (for example – the US has different planting zones),

– The plants or things you want to grow and the conditions they need

This is of course just basic information – it’s important to research beyond these things for each individual situation.

These guides provide some basic information on figuring out what might grow well in different soils, conditions and locations:

All The Factors That Affect The Growth Of Plants

How To Know What Grows In Your Soil Or Garden

How To Know What Grows In Your Geographic Area Or Climate Zone

I Can’t Grow Anything In My Soil – What Do I Do?

Below is a collection of generalized lists of things that may grow well in acidic soil.

It’s important that you don’t rely solely on these lists though – obviously you should do your own additional research, and make your own independent decisions.

Plants & Flowers That Grow Well In Acidic Soil

Bleeding Hearts

Bunchberry Native Ground Cover

Azaleas and Rhododendrons

Heath & Heather

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Holly Plants

Daphne Shrubs

Bottlebrush Shrubs

Viburnum Bushes

Colorado Blue Spruce

Mountain Ash

Magnolia Trees

Dogwood Plants

– thespruce.com

Read a longer list of acid soil loving plants at

Acid Loving Plants (morningchores.com)

75 Acid Loving Plants (annsentitledlife.com)

Vegetables & Crops That Can Be Grown In Acidic Soil

Radishes

Sweet Potatoes

Parsley

Peppers

Potatoes

Rhubarb

Beans

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrots

Cucumbers

Onions

Squash

Sweet Corn

Tomatoes

Turnips

– morningchores.com

Fruits & Berries That Grow Well In Acidic Soil

Blueberries thrive in types of soils of 4.5 – 5.0 pH.

– provident-living-today.com

Apples

Grapes

Strawberries

Cranberries

Currants

Elderberries

Gooseberries

– morningchores.com

Trees & Shrubs That Grow Well In Acidic Soil

Dogwoods

Magnolias

Willow Oaks

Pin Oaks

Beech

– southeasterntreeremovalsc.com

Sources

1. http://www.provident-living-today.com/Types-of-Soil.html

2. https://www.thespruce.com/acid-loving-plants-2132427

3. https://www.southeasterntreeremovalsc.com/blog/acidic-soil-acid-loving-trees

4. https://morningchores.com/acid-loving-plants/

5. https://www.offthegridnews.com/survival-gardening-2/25-fruits-and-vegetables-to-grow-in-acidic-soil/

6. https://www.annsentitledlife.com/how-does-your-garden-grow/75-acid-loving-plants/

7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USDA_soil_taxonomy

','

' ); } ?>